SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – The CIF State office today announced the 2021-22 Model Coach Award winners. Now in its 21^st year, the CIF Model Coach Award program is designed to recognize coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities, and who have exhibited the traits apparent in the 16 principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor_sm.

A model coach demonstrates and teaches the six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”). The CIF believes that the highest potential of sports is achieved when teachers/coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate, and Model (T.E.A.M.) these values and are committed to the ideal of Pursuing Victory with Honor_sm.

“We recognize and honor those transformational coaches who take pride in guiding the student-athletes they mentor,” said CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti.

Kelly Aguda (University High School, Los Angeles) Cross Country/Track & Field

Aguda serves as the cross country and track & field coach at University High School as well as the Athletic Director and represents everything good about education-based sports. She is dedicated to athletics and providing opportunities to participate, and passionate about the life skills that sports teach students. Both on and off the field Aguda pushes the student-athletes to be the very best they can be as she truly cares about student success in every area of life.

Lisa Avrett (Pitman High School, Turlock) Water Polo/Swimming

Throughout her 31-year career, Averett has continually demonstrated the “Six Pillars of Character” as she models and instills the principles of hard work and discipline. She is totally invested in the development of the student-athletes she coaches and is a guiding light for the younger coaches as they learn from the valued experiences of a seasoned veteran.

Steve Bridges (Escondido High School) Golf

For over 25 years, Coach Bridges has tirelessly put his heart and soul into Escondido High School. He has served as a football coach, P.E. teacher, Departments Chair and Athletic Director. He has the ability to forge relationships that help his student-athletes learn and thrive. Bridges takes great pride in the character of his student-athletes when they exit his golf program and enter the world in their post-high school endeavors.

William Flory (Pleasant Valley High School, Chico) Field Hockey

Flory is an integral piece of the Pleasant Valley High School community as a teacher and coach. A driven, caring, committed, and humble coach, Flory develops players into honorable people of society. He has established a reputation as a person that PVHS stakeholders and students can rely upon to continuously raise the level of achievement and integrity.

Cindy Gurney (Alta Loma High School) Volleyball

A graduate of Alta Loma High School, Gurney has been associated with the school for more than 38 years and currently serves as a math teacher and girls volleyball coach. Her players describe her as someone who models dedication and advocates for each of them as a coach and leader on campus. She has a way of getting the most out of her student-athletes on the court and in the classroom.

Victoria Johnson (Mt. Whitney High School, Visalia) Volleyball

Johnson serves as a teacher and coach at Mt. Whitney High School and exemplifies the Six Pillars of Character that coaches and administrators try to instill in student-athletes in the classroom and on the court. Coach Johnson proves to be an inspirational role model for other teachers, athletic directors, and coaches as she makes it a priority that her student-athletes are rooted in character.

Kirk Klucznik (Bear Creek High School, Stockton) Volleyball/Softball

Klucznik is currently the longest-serving coach at Bear Creek High School including 26 years as the head volleyball coach and 19 years as the head softball coach. He has created an environment of both affirmation and correction, of respect and rapport, of challenges and championships. Through the years Coach Klucznik has helped his student-athletes find their inner-strength, tenacity, drive, spirit, and boundless futures.

Victor Koopongsakorn (Birmingham High School, Lake Balboa) Basketball

Koopongsakorn has served as the basketball coach at Birmingham High School for the past eight years, leading and improving the abilities of his student-athletes, including life skills. His compassion is known schoolwide, and many students look to him for guidance. Koopongsakorn is a role model, mentor, and unsung hero for his student-athletes.

Richard Lambie (Granite Hills H.S., Porterville) Water Polo/Wrestling/Swimming

Currently, in his 44^th year in education, Lambie has coached eight sports over the years within the Porterville Unified School District and is an exemplar of great teaching, coaching, and leading. Coach Lambie has a true passion for inspiring today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders. His passionate support for character education is an inspiration to all he encounters. 

Jane Morrill (Scripps Ranch High School, San Diego) Field Hockey

Since 1995 Morrill has been the field hockey coach and counselor at Scripps Ranch High School and truly cares about each student-athlete on and off the field. She is more than a coach, she’s a mentor and teacher who is enthusiastic and compassionate. Coach Morrill motivates, builds confidence, reinforces good sportsmanship, encourages teamwork, instills a love of the game, and inspires each student-athlete to believe in themselves. She has made a positive difference in the life of every player who has been a part of her program.

Hector Rodriguez (Paramount High School) Soccer

As head boys soccer coach of Paramount High School Rodriguez serves as a role model and great example for the program. His integrity, work ethic, and genuine concern for all students is to be commended. Coach Rodriguez is one of a kind and has made a tremendous impact on the entire PHS community.

Jake Spain (Marin Catholic, Kentfield) Volleyball

As the girls volleyball coach at Marin Catholic School, Spain coaches to impact his players’ lives for the next 40 years, not just the four years they attend MCS. He is tough, demanding, loving, caring, super positive, and instills lifelong values in all the student-athletes he has coached. With trust, determination, and respect as the core values, Spain’s teams have been able to compete at the highest level.